Investing in theheart of our community

AS I travel around Cheetham ward, I’m always excited to see first-hand the positive impact our community groups are making in our neighbourhood.

Community groups, sports clubs and local organisations are the beating heart of our neighbourhood. They bring people together, create and nurture social connection, promote a sense of belonging and make the eastern suburbs a vibrant place to live.

That’s why I deeply value Council’s Community Grants. At its heart, this initiative is about supporting those who are already doing so much to support our region.

These grants assist local people and projects across the arts, sport, community events, infrastructure and environmental sustainability.

This year, Council endorsed more than $2 million in funding for 98 applicants and I am thrilled to see several local groups funded.

In Moolap, the Geelong Thunder BMX Club was successful in its application for $13,492 in Community Infrastructure Grant funding.

The grant will support the concept design for a new pavilion at the Grinter Reserve BMX Track.

The project involves new facilities, social areas, a kitchen, first aid and a scoring room, all aimed at boosting community participation and ensuring long-term sustainability for this great local club.

This follows the club’s 2024-25 grant success, where they secured an incredible $372,000 to install track lighting.

I’m delighted to see the club recognised again for its efforts in promoting social inclusion and this growing sport, and I will be watching the development of this next phase with keen interest.

In East Geelong, the Try Boys Brigade also received support in its mission to increase sports participation, receiving $20,000 in grant funding.

Operating out of the Try Boys Jack Kroger Sports Centre, the organisation offers a range of indoor sports facilities, partnering with Try Boys Basketball, 1st Geelong Scouts, Geelong United Basketball and Greg Smith Basketball.

Established in 1897, the Try Boys has a long history of fostering participation in sport in a welcoming environment.

With this funding, the brigade will undertake concept planning for the venue to be transformed into the Geelong Disability Sports Participation Precinct.

This project will redesign the stadium site as a purpose-built facility, driving sports and recreation participation across the entire Greater Geelong region and its surrounds.

Accessibility in sports programs is a common thread across the Cheetham ward, and I was equally proud to see Council award funding to the Geelong Stars All-Abilities Sports Club.

This grant will support the purchase of new equipment to meet the growing demand for programs running out of St Albans Reserve, Thomson.

The Stars are delivering programs that help young people build skills, gain confidence and support social connection across a range of different sporting codes.

In their first few years, the club supported more than a hundred young people to get involved in a range of sports from soccer and gymnastics, through to karate, golf and baseball.

The team of volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes show tremendous dedication to making this club succeed, and this grant funding is so well deserved.

I can’t wait to see how this year’s Community Grant funding comes to fruition.

These projects represent a significant investment in our future and will provide lasting benefits to our community in the Cheetham ward for years to come.